They put up a good fight, but it is all over for Tottenham Hotspur's title bid and now the goal is to secure second spot in the Premier League table.
The North London side will have been licking their wounds this week, and their penultimate match of the season sees Southampton visit White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Spurs
© Getty ImagesIt was always going to be a tough ask to overhaul Leicester City in the final few weeks of the season, but Spurs have gift-wrapped the title for the Foxes by squandering a good-looking lead twice in a row.
After failing to beat West Bromwich Albion at home last month, Spurs went to Chelsea on Monday night knowing that they had to win at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1990.
First-half goals from Harry Kane – his 25th in the league this season – and Son Heung-Min had Spurs in full control, but Chelsea fought back in the second half and Eden Hazard's pinpoint finish in the 83rd minute was celebrated as much in Leicester as it was at the Bridge.
Spurs failed to keep their cool in the closing stages of what was a hot-tempered affair, finishing the match with nine bookings and there have since been further repercussions.
The Football Association charged both clubs for failing to control their players and midfielder Moussa Dembele – a star in the Spurs midfield this season – learned today that he will have to sit out the club's next six domestic matches for seemingly clawing at Diego Costa's eye during one of the melees in Monday's match.
It all left Leicester an unassailable seven points clear at the top with only two games remaining, sewing up their first-ever top-flight title. Now the onus is on Spurs to finish ahead of North London rivals Arsenal and Manchester City and come second for the first time in the Premier League era.
Despite the dropped points of late, Tottenham are unbeaten in their last eight league matches, with half of those being draws.
At home, Mauricio Pochettino's side have not lost in the league since January 13, when defeated by champions Leicester.
Kane is the league's top striker having scored 14 goals in his last 15 Premier League appearances, and that has led to talk of a bumper new contract.
Recent form: WDWWDD
Southampton
© AFPThe Saints have finished the season strongly to shoot up to seventh, and one more win will see them emulate last season's club-record Premier League haul of 60 points.
They have only lost to leaders Leicester in their last eight matches, and one of their five wins in that time was a resounding one over Champions League semi-finalists Manchester City last weekend.
For the second game in a row they won 4-2, with Shane Long and Sadio Mane on the scoresheet as Southampton took full advantage of playing City in between their two European ties against Real Madrid.
Sadio Mane starred with a hat-trick and the Senegalese forward has now scored seven goals in his last six Premier League games – this after a run of 19 league appearances without scoring.
Southampton have scored 12 goals in their last four Premier League games and in the last two Ronald Koeman has left out joint-top scorer Graziano Pelle, who missed out altogether against Man City because of unimpressive form in training and there are doubts over his future, with Lazio said to be pondering a move.
Recent form: WLWDWW
Team News
© Getty ImagesDembele will miss the rest of the season and the first four games of next with his ban, and with Dele Alli also suspended and Nabil Bentaleb injured, Ryan Mason should partner Eric Dier in midfield.
Danny Rose and Toby Alderweireld have overcome respective hamstring and knee problems and should start.
Southampton boss Koeman could name an unchanged side after their impressive 4-2 win over Man City last weekend.
The Dutchman has a fully-fit squad to choose from, but Florin Gardos is likely to miss out because of a lack of match fitness having only just returned from a lengthy absence.
Spurs possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Mason, Dier; Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli; Kane
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Forster; Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Wanyama, Clasie; Mane, Davis, Tadic; Long
Head To Head
Tottenham have won six of their last seven league meetings against the Saints, including a 2-0 win at St Mary's in December in which Kane and Alli scored in the space of three minutes just before half time.
Southampton haven't beaten Spurs since March 2005, while their last win at White Hart Lane was in September 2003.
We say: Spurs 2-1 Southampton
The hosts may be downbeat having lost the title, but they will still want to go out on a high in their last home game of the season and should just have enough to edge out the in-form Saints.
